Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro DPPH radical scavenging assay study of PEG-capped carbon nanoparticles derived from Butea monosperma flower extract

Abstract

Abstract In this work, the core carbon nanoparticles (BM CNs) and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400)-capped BM CNs were synthesised from Butea monosperma flower extract via the facile direct heating method. They were investigated for their intriguing properties and in vitro antioxidation activity in comparison with Carica papaya seed (CPS) extract via DPPH assay. The CNs were characterised by DLS, XRD, HR-TEM, TGA, FT-IR, UV–vis spectral analysis and quantum yield measurement. The PEGylated CNs demonstrated decent quantum yield, favourable size, and turbostratic carbon phase apart from better stability and dispersion nature as compared to the uncapped entity. The mildly stable uncapped sample with zeta potential −17.9 mV featured its extensively aggregated form, unlike the capped sample with −23.0 mV zeta potential, which sheds light on its enhanced stability by PEG400. Antiradical capacities of the CNs in comparison with CPS extract demonstrated the PEG400-bound nanomaterial of its superior antiradical activity against the other two controls. This study provides an insight into the novel polymer-CNs’ potent antioxidant property which can be further explored for its incorporation in targeted drug delivery and other biomedical applications.